Unlikely Heroes in the New TestamentSample

Day 5: Mary Magdalene

There’s another famous unlikely hero in the New Testament who was also delivered from demons: Mary Magdalene. Mary Magdalene was a prostitute who was tormented and oppressed by seven demons. Yet in a moment, Jesus delivered her from the demons. With her newfound freedom, clarity, and fresh perspective, an unwavering devotion to Jesus settled in her heart. She not only became one of His followers, but she supported His ministry and traveled with Him and the disciples. Many people certainly would have known about her checkered past, and yet Jesus accepted her just as she was, and as she walked with Him, she grew deeper in her devotion and faith. Jesus honored this devotion in perhaps the most remarkable way of any story in the New Testament.

While nearly all the disciples decided to abandon Jesus the night he was arrested, Mary was one of the few disciples present to witness the crucifixion. Her devotion to Christ led her to the cross, where she saw Jesus' beaten and bloodied body nailed to the crossbeams as He was strung up, suspended, and left for dead. After Jesus was resurrected, Mary Magdalene was the first person to see Him. She was the first to behold the risen King Jesus. Think about that for a moment: the promises Jesus had spoken about were fulfilled right before her eyes. Overcome with enthusiasm, she ran to the other disciples and proclaimed, "I have seen the Lord!" (John 20:18), making her not only the first to see the resurrected Jesus, but also the first to announce the resurrection. Her witness moved the others to joy, setting off a chain reaction of events that is still active to this day.

Key takeaway: Mary Magdalene’s response to Jesus’ delivering her was an unwavering devotion, which God honored and blessed.

Reflection: How can you support and proclaim the good news of Jesus in your own way? Who do you know that needs to know about the resurrection of Jesus and His overcoming death?